By virtue of making the team as a 2nd-round pick and providing non-negative value, Thompkins gets a passing grade for his first NBA half season.

The rap on him coming out of college was that his body had a long way to go, and perhaps the requisite work ethic wasn’t there. But after positive reviews in an abbreviated training camp, he emerged as the best big man off the bench — a title he held until Reggie Evans joined the field of him and Brian Cook. He was essentially a replacement-level player.

With Evans and Kenyon Martin now in the mix, it looks like his most valuable contributions this season may come as a cheerleader.